Two violent people lost on the same island. One finds redemption. The other seeks revenge. Both had plenty of reasons to be angry. Anna-Lucia had been shot by a criminal. Eko lost his little brother. But Anna-Lucia could not get rid of her anger. Even after getting her revenge, she remained violently angry with everyone she met. Eko, on the other hand, assumed re-sponsibility for his brother’s death and found redemption in the cross he pulled off his little brother’s neck.

Now read Acts 7:54-60.

Seeking revenge

Jaw clenched . . . eyes barely open in a squint . . . we are not very good at disguising our emotions, especially when we are angry with someone. As Stephen spoke before Jesus’ enemies in the Sanhedrin, the intense hatred they felt for Jesus became evident once again. Stephen reminded them how they “betrayed and murdered [the Righteous One]” (v. 52). “When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him” (v. 54).

They had carefully plotted their revenge on Jesus when they crucified him. But their anger only increased with Stephen’s words. When Stephen announced, “Look . . . I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God” (v. 56), they lost control. “They covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city, and began to stone him” (v. 57,58).

Are you lost in anger? Are you gnashing your teeth over something that happened in the past? Are you secretly plotting revenge? You will never find peace and satisfaction. The Sanhedrin demonstrates the futility of trying to alleviate your anger by seeking revenge.

Finding redemption

“While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit’ ” (v. 59).

While Jesus’ name ignited the San-hedrin into a furious rage, it brought calm to Stephen. Unlike the Sanhedrin, Stephen assumed responsibility for his sins and sought redemption. The Holy Spirit had worked a miracle in his heart. Stephen knew that Jesus died and rose from the dead to secure redemption for his soul. He knew Jesus would receive his spirit in mercy. At death, this brought Stephen peace.